The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-06-26
a YOUNG FRENCH SWELL.
Maurice Bernhardt, the Son OF the
Great French Actress.

Maurice Bernhardt, the Son OF the
Great French Actress.
New York, June ga young man has
just sailed for Europe who occupies rather
strange position in the world, Its Maurice
Bernhardt, son of Mile Bernhardt, the
Frcnch actress. It was rather curious to
notice the department of this young fellow,
not at all abashed by the misfortune of hav-
ing been born out of wedlock He IS 81 or
% years of age, about 6 feet in height, well
built, dark complexioned, with deep set
black eyes and typical French features; he
combed his hair down over the temples, was
perpetually in full eveaing dress, the broad
shirt front adorned orrather disflgured with
large turtle shell studs He spends most of
his time in Paris, hut was in New York for
some time during the theatrical sea-
son. He was nightly attendant ct the
theatres, particularly favoring comic
opera, and usually had a box from which
he would stare and leer at the ballet girls SO
Extensively that on several occasions tho
managers seriously discussed the advisabilitv
of throwing him out of the window, and
only refralned for his mothers sake He
would not only ogle the ballet girls, but he
would talk so loudly as to disturb the
audience, and there is growing impationce
with the well-dressed Doors. male and
female, who chatter in private boxes or
elsewhere and disturb those who go to the
opera or theatre to see and hear and not to
make vulgar display of themselves by
loud and senseless talk. M. Bernhardt
would fit well in French novel When rot
at the theatre or at the Hoffman House,
leaning against one of the gilded pillars
putting cigarettes with the air of blase
man of the world and talking
small gossip with the cronies OF
the same ilk, he was at the
Home Club, on Tenty-fourth street. When
he slept was mystery. The Home Club is
French organization, composed of some of
the masculine leaders of French society in
New York 1t is supposed to be what is
commonly known as "high-toned." Here
the young man dined and also passed the
later hours of the evening and the early
hours of the morning in playing baccarat,
at which he is said to have been badly
worsted. He was surrounded by sparks of
his own nationality, who knew he had
plenty of money and who regarded him
simply as q young goose to be plucked.
Members of the Consolidated Exchange
showed him especial attention and brokers
from the other boards seemed to be seen
with him. 1t was curious to mark the bear
ing of this unfortunate offspring of law
morality. His manners were arrogant
overbeaI.ing, insolent. II am the son Of
Sarah Bernhardt" was acclaimed in the loud
manners of born cad. Yet, surprising as
it may seem, cultured girls of wealthy
families, well known in society, were silly
enough to covertly encourage his notice
Stage struck maidens of Murray Hill seek
ing the notice of cynical French coxcomb
Faugh His birth Is something for which
he is not to blame, but retiring and gentle
manly manners would be peculiarly appro-
pirate in such case. New York Is full of
such odorous specimens of fast life, and they
seem popular with certain class of girls
who are fascinated by the fumes from a
lower world. New York seems to become
more Partisan every year. Contrast the
young person | have mentioned with an
other similarly unfortunate, but now dead,
who once served Maine as a Congressman
and United States Senator, and was for a
time Secretary of the Treasury in Mr..
Lincolns Cabinet. William Pitt Fessenden
was a lofty spirit, a rare embodiment of
courage, sensibility and intelligence, pure as
dove, an unspotted statesman of the high
est order, beloved universally, and almost
canonized in death
OSCAR WILLoUGHBY RIGGS.